Review: Blind Date with the Hero - Heroes of Freedom Ridge #18

Blind Date with the Hero book cover on blue background

It feels so bittersweet now that I'm finished the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series! When I first started, I wasn't sure if I could make it through all 18 books, but what a pleasure and delight it has been to get to know the town and its stories so thoroughly. Reading Blind Date with the Hero was both exciting and wistful; however, I'm thankful I got to travel to Freedom, Colorado this past year and get to know so many great authors!

Book Synopsis

She’s on a series of blind dates, but all she can think about is her Secret Santa…

Alexis would rather skinny dip in a snowbank than make good on the bet she lost. Ten blind dates? As though the holidays weren’t hard enough, now she has to sit at awkward Christmas parties with men who were more likely to be intimidated by her military experience than infatuated. At least her Secret Santa was keeping things interesting.

K9 Specialist Jared Keen couldn’t believe his luck when he got his best friend’s name in the Secret Santa pool. After years of wishing he could tell Alexis how he felt, this is his chance to show her instead. At the same time, he just needs to convince her that their friendship can handle the pressure outside the friendzone, and pray that one of her ridiculous blind dates doesn’t derail his plan.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This is the last book of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, and what an ending it is! This book delivers all of the warm and fuzzy feelings associated with romance and reminds readers why they fell in love with the people of Freedom, Colorado in the first place. Seeing so many characters mentioned is a thoughtful nod to earlier books, and the story itself is sheer bliss. As I was reading about Jared and Alexis, I couldn't help but root for things to work out for them. This is not only a charming story with secret admirer vibes throughout, but it dives deeper into the themes of identity, courage, and acceptance.

This book is the perfect conclusion to such a tremendous series, and Tara Grace Ericson hits it out of the park with this story. The number of swoony moments is equally matched by the poignant truths of God's love and care. I love that the characters work through tough issues together and that Jared demonstrates patience, grace, and persistence as he supports Alexis. Blind Date with the Hero will leave you with a smile on your face and butterflies in your stomach for all the best reasons.

Book Summary

Format of book: 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Review: Muskoka Blue - Original Six Hockey Romance #6

I normally read books in their series order, but I was excited to have an excuse to jump to this book as its sequel is releasing this week! Muskoka Blue is the last book in the Original Six Hockey Romance series by Carolyn Miller , but it takes us to the Muskoka Shores series , meaning it's not the last time I get to pay a visit to this scenic part of Canada 😊 Book Synopsis An ice princess with a broken heart. A pro hockey player with a secret. For Sarah Maguire, spending the summer at Lake Muskoka was supposed to be about finding the courage to put back the pieces of her shattered life—not falling in love with the charming yet unsophisticated hockey player from next door. Daniel Walton may have been praying for Miss Right to appear, but Sarah’s ice princess act just cries Miss Wrong. Dan’s summer plans hadn’t included befriending a redhead with a sassy tongue and cute accent, but as Muskoka works its magic he soon discovers that underneath the frost and prickles is the funny, ...

Wedding Scenes

I've had the pleasure of reading some lovely wedding scenes lately and it had me thinking about books that choose to include them. In noticing that a lot of the romances I read tend to end with either the couple finally confirming their relationship or possibly an engagement if there is an epilogue, I'm usually left wanting to know what the wedding will look like. If there happens to be any wedding scene, it may be from the perspective of a character in the next book in the series, such as a bridesmaid or family member as a segue into their own story. However, I've found that when I get to read fuller descriptions of a wedding from either the bride or the groom's point of view that it seems to make the book feel more complete. That's not to say that a wedding should always be included, especially if the timing doesn't make sense, but they are wonderful to read about. In terms of Christian weddings, I've always been curious as to how authors convey this. Some...

Review: Terms and Traditions - The Reluctant Romantics #1

With Christmas coming in just a few months, it's the perfect opportunity to read the new Reluctant Romantics series by historical and now contemporary author, Morgan Taylor Giesbrecht . Terms and Traditions introduces us to an unconventional office romance, church friends, and a family gathering that could rival the Addams family over the holidays. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis Fake dating my millionaire boss was not on my Christmas list, but I’m not complaining. Stephanie: I’ve kept my crush on Nash Prescott under wraps for two years. We might be friends, but I’m still his PA. Until that fatal office Christmas party when my frayed emotions had me opening my big mouth and asking Nash to spend the holidays with me at my dysfunctional family’s cabin… as my fake boyfriend. I’m not sure what’s more surprising—that I didn’t pass out when I asked or the fact he said yes. But Nash...